The history of the name Wigghtmane begins in the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes in Britain. It was a name for a person with a pale complexion or blond hair. A broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character. The name means "white man." [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)

Early Origins of the Wigghtmane family

The surname Wigghtmane was first found in Peebles-shire. The variant Witmar was found in the Domesday Book of 1086. Other early listings of the name or one of its variants include: Witeman fugitius who was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1170; William Witman who was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Kent in 1230; Richard Wyteman who was listed in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1243; and Stephen Whytman who was listed in the Assize Rolls of Somerset in 1243. [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)

Early History of the Wigghtmane family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wigghtmane research.Another 203 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1688, 1716, 1566, 1612 and are included under the topic Early Wigghtmane History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wigghtmane Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Wigghtmane are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Wigghtmane include: Whiteman, Whitman, Wightman, Whyteman and others.

Early Notables of the Wigghtmane family (pre 1700)

Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wigghtmane Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wigghtmane family to Ireland

Some of the Wigghtmane family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.Another 103 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wigghtmane family to the New World and Oceana

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Wigghtmane or a variant listed above: Robert Whiteman settled in New England in 1635; Matthew Whiteman arrived in Pennsylvania in 1733; John Whiteman settled in Philadelphia in 1741.